Flourishing gem at the edge of Zalaegerszeg

Have you ever seen one of those captivating and mesmerizing photographs on the internet that were taken in nature’s wonderful valleys with fabulous surroundings? The World Wide Web is full of them, so I guess you have. Very likely we think the same, when it comes to wondering, if there is anybody on this planet, who wouldn’t be daydreaming about being at one of those hidden gems, particularly, when you are at your workplace grinding bitterly hard to avoid your boss’ questioning look. I do believe that everyone would wish to be there in a marvellous, flourishing valley, full of green colour, and completed with the endless shades of gleaming flowers and a lovely chatter of forest birds. In my newest article, I am going to guide you through one of these wonders of our nature, that can be found at the edge of Zalaegerszeg, my hometown.

Picture © Credit to: zalaegerszegturizmus.hu

Rhododendron Valley (Azáleás Völgy)

As its name implies, this hidden gem I am thinking of is a full-of-green valley, where countless rhododendron types of flower are growing and spreading their enchanting scent. More precisely, only one of them does so, at least intensively, since the most of them possess only external charm. However, the yellow-coloured, Caucasian-rhododendron has such an intense and delicate scent, that it’s all over the valley, and it’s just enough to sense it at every square metre of the place. The Valley in a certain term is artificial. Not exactly the valley itself of course, but the valley’s arboretum-like nature. Namely, back in the 1960s and 1970s, based on the idea of a forest engineer, certain Gyula Fatalin, numerous rhododendrons were moved here to Azáleás Völgy, how locals call it, from the near Jeli Arboretum. Although the creation of a similar landscape happened only experimentally first, the valley’s characteristic and special microclimate instantly allowed these colourful beauties to proliferate.

They are blooming only for a while

You shall keep in mind though, that rhododendrons (or azaleas) are blooming only for a relatively short period of time every year, meaning that you have a chance to admire them only from the end of April until the end of May. Still, I dare to say that even this little while is worth to be there and sniff into the air of this flourishing gem at the edge of Zalaegerszeg. Beyond rhododendrons, if you are a lover of nature, you can glimpse white firs, European and Japanese larches and other cedar-like plants. In the immediate vicinity, there is also a TV-tower of the city, which is a perfect spot to pan across the landscape. In a 50-km distance, you can also reach the Spa of Zalakaros, that I already recommended to you, so don’t miss it out either!